Steering column bushing



March 12, 1940. J. D. CHAMBERLIN STEERING COLUMN BUSHING Filed July 5, 1938 Jss B Y I M1144 Illll'lllllllll Patented Mar. 12, 1940 l STEERING COLUMN BUsHiNcrj` l Jess D. Chamberlin, Detroit`,1vrih. f I. f

Application [July ,5i 1938', Serial 2179439l l s v I I 9. claims., (ci. 30s-.2m- 1 f i This invention relates to bushingsv and particularly to the type thereof suitable for use between the steering shaft and the steering'column or mast jacket of steering gears of motor ve- 5 hicles, the principal object being the provision of a bushing of this type that is simple in construction, efllcient in operation and economical to produce.

Other objects'of the invention include the pro- 10 vision of a bushing or bearing including rolling anti-friction members so constructed vand arranged as to readily yield to accommodateslight variations in the alignment of. th vparts connected thereby; the provision of a bushing of the ll type described in which one of the race members is formed in two parts separated fromvone another centrally vof the raceway thereof and provided with coacting yieldable means surrounding the same; and the provision of a bushing or bear- .o ing including a cylindrical vmember having a raceway formedl therein and a pair of ycylindrical members arranged in telescoping relation with respectthereto and formed to `provide araceway in opposed relation'to the first mentioned race- 'u way between their adjacent ends.- i

Other objects of the invention'include the provision of a bushing orfbearing including inner and Outer racewayforming members, the inner of which is provided with a layer of yieldable mal- 30 terial overlying the same; the provision of a bearing or bushing of the type described including a general cylindrical shell-like member providing a raceway therein and a pair of generally cylindrical shell-like members arranged in telescoping 5 relation with respect thereto and formed to provide between thema second lraceway in opposed relation to the i'lrstmentioned raceway, ant-friction elements being interposed between Isaid raceways, and the second mentioned cylindrical members being provided with anoverlying covering serving to maintain them in desired assembled relation; the provision 'of a bushingor bearing including inner and outer raceway forming members and rolling anti-friction elements therebe- 5 tween, a layer of rubber overlying the inner face of the inner raceway forming member and a layer of rubber overying the outer face ofthe outer raceway forming members; theI provisionA of a bushing or bearing of the type described in which 50 one of the race formingmembers is split axially thereof centrally of one of the raceways thereof and provided with a rubber coating vadapted to be compressed when inserted in position and thereby frictionally maintain the desired axial u position ofthe bushing and'. the relation, of the to theaccompanying drawing, and then claimed, 10

and in which likel numerals refer to like `parts view of that portion of the steering gear :shown-fu split portions' of said split member; and the provision o'ffa bushing "or bearing of the type describedin whichv means are provided for positively limiting separating movement between the axially separated raceway forming members. 5 The above being among the objects of thepresent invention, the` same consists infcertain novel features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with 'reference having the above and other objects in view.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates suitable embodiments of the present invention throughout; the several different 'views,` Y 15 Fig. l is a; fragmentary, partially broken,` parvtially sectioned side elevational view of the upper end of a motor vehicle steering gear illustrating a bushing constructed in accordance withfthe present invention interposed between the steeringggo shaft and steering column or mastjacket thereof, s the bushing being shown insection taken in. a plane passingr through the axis thereof;

Fig.v 2 is an enlarged 'fragmentarylfsectional in Fig. 1 including the bushing thereof andalso illustrating the. bushingin section taken inl a plane passing axially therethrough; f

Fig.'3 is a' fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

. "80 Fig; tiis aview similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a slightlyfmodified form of construction.

- y Referring to the drawing,` the-numeral Ill indi- Between the upper end of the mast jacket I4 andl the shaft4 I0 is arranged what is conventionally known as a steering column bushing indicated generally at I6 and shown in greater detail, in

Figs.2and3ivv s I u Referring now to Figs. v2 and 3 it .will be noted" that the bushingII includes Aan inner generally cylindrical .sleeve member or portion .I8 formed from sheetvmet'ar thin waneer tubingv gr the 'nire and intermediate itsends formed to provide a 50 radially inwardly directed annular' groove 2li` forming a raceway. Theopposite axial end portions of the sleeve` I8 are turned or flanged radial,- ly inwardly as 'at' 2,2,v preferably, butl not necessarilyy in a circumferentiallyl continuousz'manner. e u

' The sleeve I8 his located upon the shaft I0 and maintained in substantially concentric and generally radially spaced relation with respect to the outer surface thereof by means of an annular ring 24 of yieldable and/or resilient material interposed therebetween.

Positioned in concentric relation with respect to the sleeve I8 and in generally radially spaced and telescoping relation with respect thereto is a sleeve assembly or portion indicated generally at` 26 and including a pair of identical sleeve members 28 each of which is provided with a radially outwardly turned flange 30, preferably but not necessarily circumferentially continuous, at one end thereof and a radially outwardly offset annular portion 32 at the opposite end thereof, the portions 32 being arranged in opposed and adjacent relationship and forming between them on their radially inner sides a second raceway 1ocated in opposed relationship with respect to the raceway 20. A plurality of ball bearings 34 are interposed between these two raceways and are adapted to have rolling contact with both thereof.

The assembly 26 is located axially of and spaced radially inwardly of the inner walls of the mast jlacket I4 by means of a relatively thick annular ring 36 of material interposed therebetween.

In the broader aspects of. theinvention the rings 24 and 36 may be formed of any suitable yieldable or resilient material which for instance may be felt, certain types of fabrics, rubber, or compositions of rubber and fabric, andthe outer ring 36 in particular may even be of rigid or semirigid non-metallic material of any desired type but in such ca se will usually be split diametrically thereof for the purpose of ease in assembly, but preferably these rings are formed of rubber of a suitable easily deformed character.V The internal diameter of the ring 24, when formed of readily yieldable material such as rubber, felt, or the like, in its free state is smaller than the external diameter of the shaft I6 so that when the bushing is applied to the shaft I Il it.requires radial compression of the ring 24 in order to pass it down over the shaft I0. Likewise where the ring 36 is formed of readily yieldable material such as rubber, felt or the like, its externaldiameter in its free state is greater than the internal diameter of the mast jacket I4 so that forcing it within the mast jacket I4 requires radial compression of the ring 36. Ordinarily the amount of compression required to force the bushing I6 onto the shaft I0 and through the upper end of the mast jacket I4 creates a sufficient amount of friction between the rings 24 and 36 and the cooperating shaft I0 and mast jacket I4, respectively, to eliminate the necessity of providing any positive stop or' limiting the axial position of the bushingv I6 in the mast jacket I4.

Because of the fact that the sleeve assembly 28 is formed in two axially separated parts which are separated centrally of the outer raceways for the ball bearings 34, it is possible to form the inner raceway as an integral part and yety readily assemble the balls 34 in place. The outer ring 36, when formed of readily yieldable material such as felt, rubber or the like is preferably of slightly smaller internal vdiameter than the external diameter of the sleeve 28 so as to grip the sleeves and frictionally hold them against axial separation. This is particularly true where the outer ring 36 is formed of rubber and is not vulcanized to the sleeves26, although vulcanization may be resorted to in such case if desired. Where the outer ring 36 is not made ofrubber or other yieldable or resilient material it will be necessary usually to split it in a plane passing through its axis so as to form it in two halves readily assemblable about the sleeve 28. In any case the inwardly offset ends 32 in engaging in the complementary groove formed in the inner wall of the ring 36 will prevent axial separation of the sleeves 28.

Where the ring 36 is made of yieldable or resilient material, it may be desirable in some instances; in order to ,prevent compression of the same from forcing in between the adjacent ends of the sleeve 28 and thereby endangering looseness of the bearing, to provide means for protecting the joint between the sleeves 28. One method of accomplishing this result is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 as comprising an annular ring 40 preferably of channel section as shown with the channel opening radially inwardly and receiving the outwardly offset portions therebetween. 'I'he ring 40 is preferably split, as indicated at 42 in Fig. 3 so as to render it readily applicable to and removablefrom the assembly. The ring 40 is of further advantage in that it serves as a meansior positively maintaining the sleeves 28 against axial separation.

It will be appreciated that the inner sleeve I8 and outer sleeves 28 may be readily formed of sheet metal or from thin walled tubing and may be case-hardened or otherwise suitably hardened before assembly, either in whole or over only those areas forming the raceway for the balls 34, so as to insure the desired long life to the bushmg.

The modified construction shown in Fig. 4 is essentially similar to that illustrated in Fig.` 2 except for the fact that the outer sleeve member is integral in this case and the inner sleeve member is split axially of the bearing race. In other words the outer sleeve member 50, which corresponds with the sleeve assembly 26 in the rst described construction, comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve member provided with an internal annular groove or depression 52 midway between its ends forming the outer race for the ball bearings 54 and its opposite axial end portions are radially outwardly flanged.

The modified construction shown in Fig. 4 is essentially similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 except for the fact that the outer sleeve member is integral in this case and the inner sleeve member is split axially of the bearing race. In other words the outer sleeve member 50, which corresponds with the sleeve assembly 26 in the first described construction, comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve member provided with an internal annular groove or depression 52 midway between its ends forming the outer race for the ball bearings 54 and its opposite axial end portions are radially outwardly flanged as at 56, corresponding to the flanges-30 in the previously described construction except that in this case the flanges are sharply turned from the main body portion instead of being rounded as in the rst described construction. The inner sleeve assembly indicated generally at 58 in this case comprises two identical generally cylindrical sleeves 60 each provided with a radially inwardly turned flange 62 at one end and a radially inwardly offset portion 64 at the opposite end, the portions 64 being arranged in opposed relationship so as to form the inner race forl the ball bearings 54 between such offset ends. Inner and outer annular layers 66 and 68 are provided in surrounding relationship with respect to the embodiments of the invention described without departing from the spirit or substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A bearing structure comprising, in combination, an integral annular sleeve member having a ball race formed intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of annular sleeve members arranged in telescoping relation with -respect to the rst mentioned sleeve member, the adjacent ends of said pair of sleeve members cooperating to provide a second ball race in opposed relation to the rst mentioned ball race, a plurality of balls received between said races, an annular ring of yieldable non-metallic material embraced within the. inner of said members, and an annular ring of yieldable non-metallic material surrounding the outer of said members.

2. A bearing structure comprising, in combination, an integral annular sleeve member havinga ball race formed intermediate .the ends thereof, a pair of annular sleeve members arranged in telescoping relation with respect to the rst mentioned sleeve member, the adjacent ends of said pair of sleeve members being formed to provide a second ball race in opposed relation to the rst mentioned ball race, a plurality of balls received between said races, a ring of rubber embraced within the inner of said members and a sleeve of lyieldable non-metallic material surrounding the outer of said members.

3. A bearing structure comprising, in combination, an integral annular sleeve member having a ball race formed intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of annular sleevemembersv arranged in telescoping relation with respect to the rst mentioned sleeve member, the adjacent ends of said pair of sleeve members being formed to provide a second ball race in opposed relation to the rst mentioned ball race, a plurality of balls received between said races, a' ring of rubber embraced within the inner of said members and a ring of rubber surrounding the outer of said members.

4. A bearing assembly comprising in combination, a generally cylindrical sleeve having an annular radial groove formed intermediate its endsA to provide a raceway, a pair of generally cylindrical sleeves arranged in end to end relationship and in telescoping relation with respect to the first mentioned sleeve, the adjacent ends of said pair of sleeves being offset to form between them a raoeway in opposed relation with respect to the rst mentioned raceway, a plurality of anti-friction elements received between said raceways, radially directed iianges at the opposite end of the rst mentioned sleeve, a radially directed flange at the outer end of each of said pair of sleeves, the flanges of said pair of sleeves and the flanges of the first mentioned sleeve extending in opposite directions, an annular layer of non-metallic material received between the flanges of the first mentioned sleeve, and a second annular layer of non-metallic material received between the flanges of said pair 'of sleeves.l

5. A bearing assembly comprising in combination, a generally cylindrical sleeve having anannular radial groove formed intermediate its ends to providea raceway, a pair of generally cylindrical sleeves arranged in end to end relationship and in telescoping relation with respect to the rst mentioned sleeve, the adjacent ends y of said pair of sleeves being oiset to form between Vthem a'raceway in opposed relation with 10 respect to the ilrst mentioned raceway, a plurality of anti-friction elements received between said raceways, radially directed anges at the opposite end of the first mentioned sleeve, a radially directed ange at the outer end of each of said pair of sleeves, the flanges of said pair of sleeves and the flanges of the rst mentioned sleeve extending in opposite directions, an annular layer of rubber received between the anges of the rst mentioned sleeve, and a second annular layerxof rubber received between theilanges of said pair of sleeves.

6. A bearing assembly comprising in combination, an annular sleeve member having an annular groove formed intermediate its ends, a pair of sleeve members arranged in end to end relationship and telescoping relationship with respect to the first mentioned sleeve member and generally spaced therefrom, the adjacent ends of said pair of sleeve members being radially offset to form a raceway between them in opposed relationship with respect to the first mentionedl raceway, a plurality of rolling anti-friction elements received between said raceways, and means embracing said radially oiset 'portions whereby to limit axial separation of said pair of sleeve members.

7. A bearing assembly comprising in combination, an annular sleeve member having an annular groove formed intermediate its ends, a pair of sleeve members arranged in end to end relationship and telescoping relationship with respect to'the rst mentioned sleeve member and generally spaced therefrom, the adjacent ends ofv said pair of sleeve members being radially offset to form a raceway between them in opposed relationship with respect tothe rst mentioned raceway, a plurality of rolling anti-friction elements received between said raceways, and a ring member embracing said radially offset portions whereby to limit axial separation of said pair of sleeve members.

8. A bearing assembly comprising in .combination, an annular sleeve member having an annular groove formed intermediate its ends, a pair of sleeve members arranged in end to end relationship and telescoping relationship with respect to the rst mentioned sleeve member and generally spaced therefrom, the adjacent ends of said pair of sleeve membersbeing radially offset to form a raceway between them in opposed relationship with respect to the rst mentioned raceway, a plurality of rolling anti-friction elements received between said raceways, and a ring member having axially spaced radial flanges embracing said radially oiset portions whereby to limit axial separation of said pair of sleeve .members.

9. A bearing assembly comprising in combination, an annular sleeve member having an annular groove formed intermediate its ends, a pair of sleeve members arranged in end to end relationship and telescoping relationship with respect to the first mentioned sleeve member and generally spaced therefrom, the adjacent ends 7| 4 gmane u umn ami separan@ of meer of sleeve memberswand an annular layer of non-metallic material arranged in embracing relationship with respect to' `said pair of sleeve members and said ring membei.

JESS D. CHAMBERLIN. 

